Which? revealed which sweet chilli flavoured supermarket crisps are the best in the UK, and the results will definitely shock you – and no, it’s not the iconic Sensations.
Crips are very popular in the UK, often considered as an essential British snack. In fact, potato crisps are the most popular bagged snacks in the country, with a total of six billion packets getting consumed every year, according to Lunch Show.
Despite the classic brands, all supermarkets have their own brand of crisps these days – but which crisps are the best? In the quest to find out which is the best brand, a survey conducted by Which? revealed the number one sweet-chilli-flavoured crisps – and the results are shocking. No, it’s not Sensations, which is a shocker!
In a blind taste test, a total of 64 people tested sweet chilli crisps from big brands, including Pipers, Tyrrels and Walkers, as well as supermarket own-label products from Lidl, Tesco and other retailers. The final results were anonymous, and the crisps were given in random order. Therefore, the panel didn’t know what brand they were trying each time.
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Sweet chilli crisps usually contain more sugar compared to other flavours, and they have a medium level of salt. All of the sweet chilli crips that got tasted are high in fat. Therefore, it’s recommended to consume them in moderation. A 30g serving provides between 120 to 150 calories.
The results revealed that Tesco’s ‘Thai Inspired’ Sweet Chilli crisps scored the highest results, with 73% for Best Buy and Great Value.
The site explained: “Our panel thought the flavour was superior to other supermarkets’ own labels, and more than three-quarters were satisfied with the thickness and crispy texture.” As one of the cheapest products on test, Tesco’s crips are also one of the cheapest picks, costing £1.35 a pack.
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Compared to other brands, Walkers’ famous Sensation Thai Chilli Crisps scored 66% in satisfaction. The tasters said they liked the texture and thickness but didn’t like its appearance, with more than three-quarters finding it “too pale”. Priced at £1.80 for 150g
While Thai chillies are known for their spicy flavour, Thai sweet-chilli-flavoured crisps tend to have a mild to moderate spice level. However, the taste test results show that heat levels vary depending on the brand.
Comparing the different brands, it said: “Most of our panel thought Tyrrell’s and Tesco’s crisps had just the right spicy kick. However, those from Lidl and Pipers both lost marks because more than three-quarters of tasters thought they lacked heat. If you prefer a milder crisp, these might be a better pick for you.”
